I think we should create a support group for those who insist on lifting shadows 4 stops as a common or even best practice to create compelling, high quality photos (Better yet, a workshop on how to create compelling, high quality photos). Let such a group concentrate on whatever is necessary to re-train its members how to study light and apply the tools in their hands to create great results. RL's hillarious summary should appear as an FAQ, and be included in the sylabus of a required workshop/class. TrumpetPower's examples, along with many others, can be used as inspiration.

I note that the OP raised a perfectly reasonable question that should have resulted in a normal conversation. instead we got:

OP: how can I make use of my 5D3 to make better photos in HDR scenariosshadow junkies: I think the 5D2 is junk cause I can't lift shadows as far as I want

I would urge that we concentrate on the questions posed by the likes of the OP, so that the conversation goes more like this:

OP: how can I make use of my 5D3 to make great photosforum: I study the light and apply <these techniques>

Why do we see extreme tele reach in some "superzoom" compact cameras? Do they only accomplish this through compromised IQ, or do they gain something from the small sensors used?

Ok, take the SX50 HS, FF-equivalent of 1200mm at the long end. But, it's not a 1200mm lens - it's a 215mm lens that's f/6.5 at the long end. The small sensor gives a 215mm lens the FoV of a much longer lens used on a FF camera, but focal length is an intrinsic property of the lens. The SX50 lens isn't a true telephoto design, but even if it were, that would mean only a 33mm diameter front element.

well it is the density of the pixels on a specified area, nothing else

So, I give you a nighttime shot with a classic 5D with a very wide dynamic range and shadows lifted at least a couple, maybe a few stops (I honestly don't remember)...and that's not enough to tell you what you need to know?

why the heck would I want to use your 5dc to compare to my 5d2?!?only thing they've got in common is the "5" and a tripod mount!You telling me you'd ask for samples of my 5d2 file and would be satisfied if I gave you a 5dc instead?!?who's got the fundamental understanding problem here? I've got a dozen other bodies I can compare it to, I'm asking for 5D2 samples, as outlined.You really are not good at following instructions.

Actually, my FF gear is now Nikon, but that's not the point either. FPN on my 5d2 showed up at less than a 2-stop push applied to levels that should have been high enough to not exhibit a problem (e.g. -3 EV down from metered)

Repeating for (who's keeping track of how many times now?) If anyone of you 5d2-lovers actually HAS one, and are brave enough to show, or at least TELL, us how it performs in simple tests, as outlined a pg or 2 back, then please do so. (RL?...)I'd like to compare it to mine, which might have been a bit of a lemon in the FPN area.If you're willing to post a sample of a pushed raw file, kindly include a full res crop so we can see pixel-per-pixel, not scaled down so small as to obliterate FPN in the averaging.Thank-you.

how does that help? why do we have to answer reasonable request on how to use a Canon camera with a sensor bomb that Nikon does DR better? help the OP for pete's sake and move the physics discussions to another thread please. Those discussions (about sensor physics) are valuable and I want to see them - just not in response to a question about how to use a camera that is branded according to the charter of this site.

how does that help? why do we have to answer reasonable request on how to use a Canon camera with a sensor bomb that Nikon does DR better? help the OP for pete's sake and move the physics discussions to another thread please. Those discussions (about sensor physics) are valuable and I want to see them - just not in response to a question about how to use a camera that is branded according to the charter of this site.

The question was answered several times -- I answered it in te 8th reply. He probably got his answer, took his popcorn and moved on.

The question was answered several times -- I answered it in te 8th reply. He probably got his answer, took his popcorn and moved on.

yes, to be sure. I just wanted subsequent answers to stay more on topic as well, but thats just my "group 4" tendancy showing. Cue mention of Sony DR, shadow lifting, Canon noise/banding, why it happens, how bad Canon sensors are, etc. and examples of the same that don't help the OP. long live the internet, popcorn, mutiple personas and welcome back Mikael

The question was answered several times -- I answered it in te 8th reply. He probably got his answer, took his popcorn and moved on.

yes, to be sure. I just wanted subsequent answers to stay more on topic as well, but thats just my "group 4" tendancy showing. Cue mention of Sony DR, shadow lifting, Canon noise/banding, why it happens, how bad Canon sensors are, etc. and examples of the same that don't help the OP. long live the internet, popcorn, mutiple personas and welcome back Mikael

.

+1

I agree that such comments don't help the OP and I'm not too sure whom these comments help even otherwise (save a few gearheads). People around here make have so much noise (pun intended) on the Canon sensors to the point of calling the cameras "useless" only because you can't recover 5 stops or that you get FPN when you do try to recover 5 stops. Does it may a discernible difference to your images which are correctly exposed? Do your clients notice the FPN? or rather ... do your clients ask you to recover the image 5 stops? GEEZ

One wonders why they are sticking to Canon at all, if the cameras sensors were really "useless" as alleged.

i think my popcorn booth got shut down for some reason..dunno why. So from now i will be selling popcorn from the back of the butter yellow panel van over there under the bridge all inconspicuous-like. knock three times, then twice more for the buttery goodness....

i think my popcorn booth got shut down for some reason..dunno why. So from now i will be selling popcorn from the back of the butter yellow panel van over there under the bridge all inconspicuous-like. knock three times, then twice more for the buttery goodness....

i think my popcorn booth got shut down for some reason..dunno why. So from now i will be selling popcorn from the back of the butter yellow panel van over there under the bridge all inconspicuous-like. knock three times, then twice more for the buttery goodness....

I wonder if the banding and other issues (that you can work around) would show up in photos of your van?

i think my popcorn booth got shut down for some reason..dunno why. So from now i will be selling popcorn from the back of the butter yellow panel van over there under the bridge all inconspicuous-like. knock three times, then twice more for the buttery goodness....

I wonder if the banding and other issues (that you can work around) would show up in photos of your van?

no because being buttery yellow its a Nikon van and hence doesnt have banding. DxO gave it the highest score for popcorn vans

i think my popcorn booth got shut down for some reason..dunno why. So from now i will be selling popcorn from the back of the butter yellow panel van over there under the bridge all inconspicuous-like. knock three times, then twice more for the buttery goodness....

I wonder if the banding and other issues (that you can work around) would show up in photos of your van?

no because being buttery yellow its a Nikon van and hence doesnt have banding. DxO gave it the highest score for popcorn vans